Remember Donna Pinciotti from ‘That ’70s Show’? Here’s What Laura Prepon (46) Looks Like Today
Laura Prepon, best known for her role as Donna Pinciotti on That ’70s Show, has had a diverse career in both television and film since her early days in New York theater.
Prepon started performing in plays such as A Woman of Property and Ascension Day, and she studied drama with acting teacher Caroline Thomas at the Total Theatre Lab in 1996, according to published sources. Early on, she also worked as a model, doing photo shoots in fashion capitals including Paris, Milan, and Brazil.
Her breakthrough came in 1998 when she was cast as Donna on the Fox sitcom That ’70s Show. The series, which ran until 2006, followed a group of teens growing up in the 1970s, and Donna was the smart, independent girlfriend of Eric Forman, played by Topher Grace.
Prepon was still in film school while filming the show, balancing her education with her acting career. The series not only gave her national recognition but also opened doors to other opportunities in film and television. She was nominated for a Teen Choice Award in 2002 for her work on the show, reflecting how much her role as Donna had connected with audiences.
During her time on That ’70s Show, Prepon appeared in several films, including the college comedy Slackers in 2002 and Southlander in 2001, where she played a young telepathic TV personality.
She also starred in The Pornographer: A Love Story in 2004 and in the dark drama Lightning Bug, which she also executive produced. Prepon experimented with voice acting too, contributing to Halo 2 and voicing the character Hayley Smith in the unaired pilot of American Dad!. She also made a cameo on MTV’s Cribs in 2003.
After That ’70s Show ended, Prepon moved into more dramatic roles. She co-starred in the psychological thriller Karla in 2006 and appeared in the ABC drama October Road from 2007 to 2008. She also directed and edited a web series called Neighbros, starring her then-boyfriend Scott Michael Foster. Prepon’s career has shown a mix of acting, directing, and producing, highlighting her versatility in the entertainment industry.
In 2012, she landed the role of Alex Vause on the Netflix series Orange Is the New Black, based on Piper Kerman’s memoir. Her character, a former drug importer and the girlfriend of the main character Piper Chapman, allowed Prepon to show a different side of her acting abilities, balancing drama and dark humor. She directed the tenth episode of the show’s fifth season, marking another step in her transition into directing.
Prepon has also pursued personal projects. She co-wrote the wellness book The Stash Plan in 2016 with nutritionist Elizabeth Troy, sharing her experiences with organic foods and health challenges. She later launched a line of kitchenware called PrepOn Kitchen and posted instructional cooking videos online.
In her personal life, Prepon was in a long-term relationship with Christopher Masterson from 1999 to 2007 and later dated Scott Michael Foster. She married actor Ben Foster in 2018, and they have two children. In 2024, Ben Foster filed for divorce, citing irreconcilable differences. Prepon became a Scientologist in 1999 but stopped practicing in 2016.
Looking back, Prepon credits That ’70s Show for shaping her career. The series gave her the exposure to land significant roles in film and TV, and it created a platform for her to explore directing, producing, and other creative endeavors. Prepon’s journey shows how a single role can be a launchpad, giving actors a foundation to grow into multiple areas of entertainment.
Laura Prepon has shown impressive range and resilience. From comedy to drama, and now directing and wellness, she continues to evolve in ways that reflect her talents beyond the iconic Donna Pinciotti role. What do you think about Laura Prepon’s career transformation? Share your thoughts in the comments.